Adoption Update

A few things to pray about:

** Our 171H arrives soon. I've suddenly become obsessive over this little piece of paper that approves us for an international adoption candidate. I know it takes a while to arrive, and it's been right around 30ish days since our homestudy was turned in to immigrations. I'd love to see it. It's so important. Pray that it arrives. :~)

** We're now in the middle of applying for grants. Not sure how that will go. I do know that God provides. That is a tremendous encouragement to our heart. We were made aware yesterday that the bulk of the money is due when the child comes out of IBESR. That would be quite a bit sooner than when the child comes home. I was a bit overwhelmed at first, but God Provides. I know...I sound like a broken record. However, I've rather enjoyed watching Him work over the past six months. :~) I'm sure the next six months will be more of the same, trusting Him for His goodness and promise-keeping.

** Pray for our child. They are most likely born at this point. We've requested an infant, so it's hard to say. I do believe our wait might be a bit longer as well. Not 100% sure on this fact. Still hoping for a sweet little birthday present.

** This may seem a silly thing, but it's important to me. I was keeping a running tab of our expenses and all of the things the Lord has enabled us to pay for thus far. Every single PENNY. It was all on a sheet. I can not find the sheet. It has reduced me to tears, as it was very much an encouragement to me. To look at it and see God's work on our behalf. I would really, really like to find it. I've looked everywhere, but obviously not everywhere because I haven't found it. I'm fearful that it might have accidentally gotten thrown away. I'll have to start a new sheet, which means exploring back into January! Iyiyi.

** We are prayerfully considering our options regarding travel. At this point, we know that our kiddo will probably come from an orphanage right out of Port Au Prince, Haiti. A much easier travel experience (complete with driver and hotel connected to the orphanage) as well as cheaper. Of course, it also depends on the situation in Haiti a year or more from now, but we're considering our options.

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Shall I briefly educate you on the Haitian Adoption Process?

Here's what's been accomplished so far:

• Fingerprints & I600A applied for (immigration stuff)
• Homestudy complete & approved & filed with immigrations (so we wait for the 171H important form)
• Dossier completed and overnighted (that was expensive) to Haiti (a completed dossier for Haiti is no small feat)
• Power of Attorney Document is currently in route to the secretary of state and will need to be approved at every level, like our dossier. This gives Dr. Bernard legal oversight of our case and our child while they are in Haiti.

We're now waiting to be matched with a child. We have requested as young as possible. We'll see how that goes.

Once we've been matched, here's what I understand will take place:

• We need to approve the match & accept it.
• The child enters the system. First would be IBESR. IBESR is the social services department of Haiti. Time in IBESR fluctuates depending on who you ask. We obviously hope we're not in there long.
• Then there are a couple of levels...one called Parquet and one called MOI. We have to get through all of that. Also a fluctuating time. Also hope that we are not in each one long.
• Finally, we apply for passports and visas, then retrieve our kiddo.

So as you can see it's still a long process. Now begins the waiting. I'm glad that it looks as though I have a busy summer ahead of me. Time flies when you're having fun, right?

I'm praying for my dear friend Katie. She's #1 on the waiting list for a referral from Ethiopia. We're all READY for her. Come on, phone...RING!!!!